The Power of Glove, a Power Glove Documentary

I came across this gem of a Kickstarter project today, and I had to back it out of solidarity, shared interest, and an appreciation for historical innovation.

Help us fund the final production stages of The Power of Glove, a feature documentary profiling the enigmatic NES controller that helped define a generation of gamers.

The Power Glove was a 1989 Nintendo controller that promised to forever change the way humankind interacted with technology. Originally released by Mattel, the Power Glove was the first mass-marketed, gesture-based video game controller, and its hype was immense.

Immediately after its release, however, gamers were disappointed by the Power Glove, and critics panned it as a worthless gimmick. Yet unlike many gimmicks and critical failures of the past, the Power Glove has not been simply swept under the rug. Over two decades after its release, the Power Glove continues to resonate with video gaming and technology fans, becoming the focus of art pieces, songs, videos, hacking projects, and other forms of cultural repurposing.

The Power of Glove is the story behind the legend and legacy of the Power Glove.

I have no affiliation with these guys, but it looks like a fun project. $10 gets you the digital download. I’m looking forward to it.